The Texas Longhorns have been an enigma this season. With talent and the ability to execute, they have shown flashes of potential, yet inconsistency has defined their campaign. Now, they find themselves in the First Four, battling Xavier for a spot in the NCAA Tournament’s first round.
Texas (20-13) secured its tournament berth despite a 6-12 record in SEC play, aided by a crucial overtime victory over Texas A&M.
Xavier (20-14) enters with an unimpressive 1-9 record against Quadrant 1 opponents, but the Musketeers finished the regular season on a seven-game winning streak to keep their tournament hopes alive. They nearly pulled off an upset over Marquette in the Big East Tournament before falling in a dramatic finish.
The Musketeers’ biggest weapon is their perimeter shooting, ranking in the top 10 nationally at nearly 39% from three-point range. Defensively, Xavier is solid but flawed, ranking in the top 40 in adjusted efficiency but struggling to defend both the perimeter and the paint. They rank in the 180s in three-point defense and 160s in two-point defense but compensate with strong rebounding and discipline in avoiding fouls.
Historically, Xavier has performed well in March, winning at least one tournament game in each of its last five appearances, including an Elite Eight run as a No. 11 seed in 2017.
In the No. 11 vs. No. 11 matchup in the Midwest Region, Texas enters as a slight favorite, with ESPN analytics giving the Longhorns a 54% chance to advance. Tipoff at UD Arena will determine which team earns a spot in the main bracket and a chance to make a deeper run.
What time does Texas play Xavier in 2025 NCAA Tournament?
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Date: Wednesday, March 19
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Time: 8:10 p.m. CT
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Location: Dayton, Ohio
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TV Channel: truTV
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Live Stream: Fubo (Watch Now! – Regional restrictions may apply)
Texas vs. Xavier Prediction
It’s clear Xavier struggles defensively, this can be the competitive advantage that helps Texas. With names like Tre Johnson and Arthur Kaluma, Texas is certain to make their case for the Field of 64 on Wednesday. It will be a close one, perhaps overtime. For now, I’ll trust analytics, Longhorns by 3. Could be a late-push from the freshman star Tre Johnson himself.
Final Score: Texas 75, Xavier 72
This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Texas hoops vs. Xavier in First Four
